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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1976 05-19 Borowski: alive today because of paramedics THE REVIEW Wed.,May 19,1976 THE REVIEW Borowski: alalive today because ofp a ra med i cs by Scott Carlson Without the quick attention that a Cusick says that requests for paramedic "If it wouldn't have been for the paramedic officer can give a victim of a assistance have increased by 20 percent paramedics I sure wouldn't be here full cardiac arrest it is nationally in one month's time.Without the help of today." estimated that 50 percent or more of the the paramedics Borowski feels he would Rodney Borowski, 1883 Barclay, people die before they ever reach a not be alive today. Maplewood,is filled with gratitude and medical facility.A majority,when they Borowski, like many people, was humbleness when he tells you how the die,do so within two hours. warned that he would need a heart Maplewood police paramedics saved his Five out of 10 patients with full cardiac operation within the next three to five life last October. arrests,since the Maplewood program years.But he never expected last Oct.6 And that's why it is understandable if began last summer, have been suc- that the need would become a matter of Borowski has a special interest in seeing cessfully resuscitated and have returned life and death. that Maplewood citizens vote to continue to full productive lives.That is far better funding for the police paramedic program than the national success rate which Rodney,who held down a parttime job in a special June 1 referendum. hovers between 10 and 15 percent. conducting surveys,had returned home In the first five months of the police for supper.He had three women to help "WE CAN CUT CORNERS on other paramedic program Maplewood had 321 with the survey efforts but needed three things but not on this,"he states with a requests for emergency medical attention men and after 6 o'clock that evening matter-of-fact determination. and treated some 335 patients.Of that decided to find the help. The statistics tend to favor Borowski's number 120 people had cardiac related "And that's all I remember,"he says. claim that you can't measure the symptoms requiring the knowledge and Maplewood paramedic service in terms of training of the paramedics and their "I don't ever remember leaving home." dollars and cents because of the lives, necessary equipment. But leave home he did as he was found including Borowski's, that have been in his car and in dire trouble. He had saved. MAPLEWOOD LIEUTENANT Dennis sustained a cardiac arrest and was clinically dead. Within minutes neighbors had sum- Maplewood um- Maplewood seeks monad for help and the paramedics were at the scene. June,Rodney's wife,first knew about her husband's situation when the police authorization t o knocked at the door.Police Chief Richard Schaller,a nearby neighbor,had Frost Avenue blocked off. No s000ner had June learned of her levy for paramedics husband's tragedy then the paramedic officers were off at a fast clip to St.Paul- Ramsey Hospital. Maplewood voters will be asked on June of funding for emergency medical ser "I BLACKED OUT and the next thing I I to either grant or deny authorization to vices. knew I was in a hospital,"Borowski said. the city to spend$186,000 in excess of the But last fall the city was informed by "If it hadn't been for the paramedics I municipality's tax levy for funding of the the state commissioner of taxation that sure wouldn't be here today." police paramedic program. the 1969 law was superseded by the Fiscal Approval of the referendum would Disparities Act. June said the paramedics were very mean no further increase in property Maplewood had levied the$186,000 for cooperative."I felt that they worked real taxes to the Maplewood citizens this year the police paramedic program in an- good,"she said. since the amount was already included in ticipation that the money could be raised Since that time Rodney has had suc- their 1975 tax statements, which have outside of the tax levy limit.As such this cessful open heart surgery and the doe- already been sent out. means that the citizens would not be tors tell him he is in pretty good shape."I charged with any tax increase until 1977. feel better than ever before,"he said. The passage of the referendum for What if the paramedic referendum And best of all he is back to his postal future years would,however,amount to a fails? job down in St.Paul. $9.62 tax increase on a home with a The program will automatically "Some people are really amazed at market value of$20,000. discontinue because the city will not have that," his wife added. And that is no When the program was initiated last the financial resources to provide understatement. year Maplewood anticipated that state required monthly training for the aids could be used to support the service paramedic officers to maintain their based on a 1969 law which allows avenues certification.